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Wednesday, 1 April 2015

UKIP: A million school places needed within a decade

'Uncontrolled' immigration will see primary schools having to find places for nearly a million more pupils within a decade, claim the UK Independence Party (UKIP).

UKIP say their claim is based on predictions set to be unveiled by the Local Government Association, 880,000 extra places will have to be found for children at a cost of £12 billion. The LGA says two in five council areas across the country could still have more primary pupils ready to start school than places for them by September 2016.

Data analysis shows two in five parts of England will have more primary-age pupils than places for them in 2016/17. This increases to more than half in 2017/18 and three in five in 2018/19.

UKIP Deputy Leader Paul Nuttall, the partys education spokesman and MEP for the North West, said: "The more people we have living in this country, the more pressure there is on services. Its not just school places that will have to be found for these children, we will also have to find provision for them and their families in housing and within the NHS."

"This is why UKIP alone is calling for Britain to withdraw from the European Union and the economic lunacy of freedom of movement within it." Mr Nuttall added.

UKIP migration spokesperson Stephen Woolfe MEP added: "Public services across the country are being cut because of austerity measures. Clearly those services are going to come under further pressure in the future because of rising numbers. A sensible and managed migration system which is fair and ethical will allow the UK government to plan to meet the needs and demands of public services for the future."

The Local Government Association represents councils across England and Wales. It is due to release its figures on future school places provision this Friday, April 3.